County staff present ASPCA disaster MOU; commissioners ask legal review and take no action

Rafael, a county emergency-management staffer, described a memorandum of understanding with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that would give Ellis County access to ASPCA disaster services — sheltering, feeding and transportation for animals — in the event of a declared disaster. Rafael said the arrangement is intended to be free to the county when activated for declared disasters.

Commissioner Stinson and others noted the backup materials contained references to reimbursements and asked whether legal had reviewed the agreement. Rafael said his office submitted the MOU to the county legal department for review but commissioners asked to confirm that there is no obligation for the county to pay under normal animal‑services operations. The court took no action on item A4 to allow legal and staff to clarify terms and will revisit the MOU at a subsequent meeting.